Department of Health statement on Lewisham

"We appreciate that the recommendations for the future of South London Healthcare NHS Trust concern many people from the local community. The NHS is rightly one of our most treasured institutions, so of course people are going to hold strong views about any changes to local services. However, where trusts face long standing problems we have been clear that doing nothing is not an option. It is crucial that patients in South East London have high quality health services that will last. There isn't an easy solution to the problems at South London Healthcare NHS Trust."